Film presser having a central projecting plane portion for moving picture cameras



Patented Feb. 21, 1950 FILM PRESSER, HAVIN JECTING PLANE PO PICTURECAMERAS Andr Clement Coutant: and Jacques Mathot, Paris, FranceApplication December-'15, 1948, Serial No. 65,324 In France December 20,1947 3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to film-pressers for moving picturecameras, of which the purpose is to secure the obtainment of sharppictures on the film by keeping it still and flat over that portion ofthe latter which is being exposed. Film pressers first of all exert abraking action upon the film which is wound oil and fed through stepwiseby the action of claws and finally bring it to standstill fiat behindthe shooting gate. Now, where the action of the pressers upon the filmis insufficient, it may happen that the latter is incompletely stoppedand that it does not stand at right angles to the optical axis of thecamera,

while an exceedingly high pressure upon the film may lead to scratchesthat are detrimental to the sharpness and good appearance of thepicture.

With a view to obviate both of these inconveniences the film-presseraccording to the invention is characterized in that it is formed with anouter face larger than the shooting gate, on which face there areprovided a central projecting portion smaller in size than said gate anddistance pieces rested on either side of the gate and designed to limitthe effect of the springs said presser is resiliently urged by.

The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, in which reference is had to the appended drawing in which:

Figure l is an elevational front view of the presser;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 11-11 in Fig. 1.

The presser l illustrated is rectangular in shape; a pair oflongitudinal distance pieces 2' project outwards from its sides againstthe direction the light comes from. A projecting central portion 3 isrectangular in shape and stands out of the plane of the presser face bythe same amount as do the two longitudinal side distancepieces 2. Saidcentral portion is smaller in size than the gate that encompasses thesame.

The said presser is urged by springs 4 that are rested on inwardlyprojecting portions 5 of the casing 8 and by which the distance-pieces 2of the presser are pressed to apply the film 1 against the sides of theshooting gate H.

At the same time the projecting portion 3 keeps a portion of the film 1in a plane condition behind the gate H without pressing the film portioninvolved'against any hard body.

G KEENTR'ALII'BROa RTION FOR MUVING' For a better understanding of thedrawing the lens I2 has been indicated in front of the gate ll, togetherwith the optical axis XX of the camera and the film loops.

Shown below the presser is an additional presser 8 which may bedispensed with yet be used in combination with the presser I. Saidpresser 8 which is housed in a casing 5' is loaded by springs 4' whichare stronger than springs 4. It is provided with side distance-pieces 9.The slots [0 represent the passageways for the claws by means of which astepwise feed is secured. Said claws are not shown. The said presser 8provides for stopping and presser I for both flattening and stopping.

Various modifications may be made in the shape and proportions of thepresser as well as in the dimensions of the projections that will leadto the pressure most suitable to keep the film flat without scratchingit. The relative positions of the two pressers may also be modified.

Of course, all these modifications do not depart from the scope oftheinvention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the ,5 distance-pieces areconstituted by longitudinal projections arranged at either side of thepresser to press the film edges against the sides of the gate; theirthickness is substantially equal to that of the central projectingportion.

Q The presser is combined with an additional presser located below thefirst one, provided with longitudinal projections and urged by a springsystem stronger than the one acting upon the first-mentioned presser andthat provides for a reliable fixedness of the film which the saidfirst-mentioned presser is keep flat.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. A resilient presser for a motion picture camera having a shootinggate, comprising a presser plate. a casing, springs resting on thecasing to urge said presser plate toward the shooting gate, said presserplate having a front face portion which is larger in size than saidgate, and a central projecting plane portion which is smaller in sizethan said gate and faces said gate, and side distance pieces on thefront face of the said presser plate resting on the side of the gate toeffective principally to press the edgesof the film against the gate and.limit the thrust exerted by said springs upon the .rpresser' plate.

side distance pieces projecting on said front face.

to press strongly the sides of the film.

ANDRE cLs ENTpoU'rANT. JACQUES MATHOT.

4 REFERENCES crrcn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Oehmichen Nov. 20, 1928 MitchellAug. 15, 1933 Crespinel j i-Sept. 26, 1933 Fairall Jan.'23, 1934Tondreau et a1 Sept. 5, 1944 Fairbanks Oct. 12, 1948

